Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-06-22
HEAVY RAINS.
THE VICINITY OF fHB CITY SWEPT BY
THUNDER STORMS.
The Air Charged With Electricity, Causing Some
Damage by Lghning-CuPs
Suffer Severely.

About midnight Monday night, at hau
past four O'Clock yesterday morning, at IL
o'clock O. M, and again yesterday AFTER
noon, this portion of the Ohio Valley was
swept by heavy thunder storms The
rain which fella at daylight yesterday morn
ing was by far the hardest of the present
wear. while the storm of yesterday after
noon was characterized by very free DIS
play of sharp lightning. This storm seems
to have been most severe along the eastern
edge of Belmont county, and in the upper
portion of Ohio and the lower part OF
Brooke counties, on this side Of the riVer'
and from all this section reports OF swollen
streams, damage by lightning and hea'y
loss to Farmers came pouring In.
About half-past two o'clock IN the aiter-
noon dark cloud blew rapidly up from the
west, and in a few moments the ram COM
menced falling in sheets, while the roll Oh
thunder was almost incessant. In lie"
moments most of the streets OF this city
were impassable torrents, the water after
extending from curb to curb, besides
flooding large portions of the sidewalks
In the midst of the storm flash OF light
ming struck Captain Princes flag pole, on
the river bank at the extreme upper emu
of North Front street, scattering the stan
into fragments, and at the same time
stunning several persons in neighooring
houses. The wind did great deal OF dam
age to trees and shrubbery, especially IN
the orchar district of the Island
Across the river, the full effects OF the
storm were felt. Wheeling Greek, at
Bridgeport, rose rapidly, while the hill
sides were flooded as though from water
suout. The vivid lightning struck
number of forest trees on the adjacent
hills. and one of the bolts hit the stable OF
Henry Hose, about mile and half back
from the river, killing one horse instantly,
and paralyzing the other so that it had to
be shot. The team had recently been pur-
chased at q cost of sos.
At Martins Ferry the storm was no less
severe. The lighting played about in such
a way rs to cause universal CONSERVATION
while telephone bells jingled all over
town. Samuel Venom complained oil
being affected by the lightning. AT Henry
Floto's bakery several persons saw the
telephone box suddenly become highly
Illuminated.
At the Elson Glass Works, solid point
of electrical flame shot out of the end oil q
disconnected natural gas pipe in the Office,
Frightening the place up very nicely, ana
causing those present to think the END was
at hand. In the factory, the pipes about
the gloria holes all showed the presence oil
electricity, and caused general alarm.
The residence of George Burke was
struck by s thunderbOlt and part
of the cornice torn from the
front of the building and splintering sew
eral thinkers in the house. The rain IN
Martins Ferry, if possible, seemed heavier
than elsewhere, and Hanover, Third, JEFF
ferson, Fayette, Walnut and Clay streets
were flooded. The three p. IN. passenger
train was delayed nearly an hour while
the gravel was shoveled from the track.
At the Etna mill machinery, tools, and
everything there seemed To have become
thoroughly saturated with electricity, aud
a number of men were so affected by light
ming as to be compelled to lay off work.
Reports from up the river and out IN the
country showed the crops to have been
badly damaged. Corn and wheat suffered
most severely, many whole fields OF wheat
being laid fat. At Yorkville, eight miles
up the river, lightning struck house be
longing to James SOrley. The end OF the
house was torn out and the inmates some
what stunned.